I’m wanting to buy a 2014 type F. The car seems perfect with 14,000 miles. But there is where in tear on the steering wheel under their control buttons on both sides that doesn’t look normal. Is that a issue with these cars and should I be worried about it?



Should I buy a car with 14,000 miles on it with a steering wheel that looks like this? 2014 type F

 

Never seen before . I would be suspect of treatment of entire car.

 

It looks very odd and not typical. (My MY14 is a 'vert, has more like 20k miles, and shows no signs of wear.)

It may be just cosmetic, but I'd double check the history with Carfax and the servicing dealer to make sure there wasn't an airbag deployed (and whatever else would have happened around that).

 

From where it's located, I would suspect maybe a woman with long nails, or someone with sharp-edged rings. In any case, too much wear for such a low-mileage car; I would stay away.

 

To me it looks as though the entire central part of the wheel has been coated with something (aftermarket) that has been susceptible to wear and has started peeling. Definitely not an F-Type defect... but the rest of the car needs to be examined very, very closely. Most odd.

 

Steering Wheel restoration was part of my trade and this is definitively not normal. Not a leather problem either as the coating on the plastic is deteriorating as well.
I like the theory of long nails and sharp rings

 

It almost looks like someone was using "The Club" on the wheel that beat it up pretty badly.

 

If it’s a dealer that you are considering buying from you should ask them to replace the wheel for you as part of the deal.

However, that seems like a lot of wear and tear for a 14,000 mile car and would make me leery enough to “steer” away from the purchase.

 

I wouldn't.

 

What you see COULD be an issue with the 'soft-touch' black surfaces that was common on the first few years of production.


For sure, long fingernails on a hot interior could have scratched the button surfaces. Or, a diamond ring....



I'd look up the cost of replacement (if it's a Jag dealer, make them do it as a condition of sale). If the rest of the car is otherwise 'perfect' (have you checked the wear on the INSIDE of the rear tires?) don't let this cosmetic issue hold you back.

The buttons average $140 a side + install labor. Items 7 & 8
https://parts.ftmyersjaguar.com/v-20...wheel-and-trim

How are the rest of the black surfaces (and the start button)? Door panels, side vents, etc. The steering wheel cover isn't listed on the page I linked, but there are aftermarket covers available IIRC.

 

That steering wheel damage looks exactly like the one on my ex wifes car. She would do her nails while driving and get polish and remover on the wheel.

 

I was just going to say it looks like chemical damage, not mechanical. If the dealership would replace it, I wouldn't necessary sneeze at the thought of buying this car.